Welcome to Charity Navigator's Blog!

The team from Charity Navigator, the nation's largest independent charity evaluator and leading donor advocate, shares their thoughts on emerging nonprofit-sector issues and offers tips to better inform your intelligent giving decisions.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Charity Navigator Recognizes National PTSD Awareness Day

In 2010, Congress named June 27th as National PTSD Awareness Day. While veterans are known to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at high rates, any individual can be affected In fact, around eight million people have PTSD each year. PTSD occurs after an individual has experienced a traumatic event, from children growing up in neglectful environments, to adults living through violent car crashes, to teenagers moving frequently, anyone can begin to show symptoms of PTSD.

As the stigma surrounding mental health dissipates, individuals who have been affected by PTSD are creating deeper dialogue about living with and working through their symptoms and traumas. Today, and every day, make sure to take steps to have conversations with loved ones in your life about providing safe and secure environments, especially in reflecting on the potential memories that can resurface .

Organizations are working to lower the barrier to effective care for PTSD by expanding access to mental health care, psychotherapy, medication, housing, and nutrition. Navy Captain Paul S. Hammer, Director of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury reflected on the need to have a deeper conversation about what it means to live with PTSD in The Washington Post: “It’s important to make sure people are aware, educated, and that they look for it in themselves, their friends, and… service members… Sometimes, reaching out and talking to someone can put that person on the right path to get the help [they need].”

Interested in learning more or supporting an organization working to expand access to mental health care for individuals experiencing PTSD or another mental illness? Here are some highly-rated charities that are working to increase access to mental health services, as well as PTSD treatment: